When Nintendo confirmed that the co-op Salmon Run mode in Splatoon 2 would take place in specific limited time windows, there were some understandable groans. Nevertheless since the game's launch it's not been much of an issue, as the mode has been available pretty much whenever we want to play it. The function of the time windows is...

We were wondering what the tiny new update for Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers did, but it looks like Capcom didn't want us to be in the dark for long. Revealed at this year's currently ongoing edition of SDCC, here is the lovely (now not so) secret code that will allow you to control Shin Akuma:
- Select Ryu, stay...

In videogames there is a very fine line between taking inspiration from what has come before and outright stealing an idea and disguising it as your own. The latter hinges on watching somebody catch lightning in a bottle and hoping you can snag a piece for yourself; the former is constructively looking at somebody else’s design and...

Pokémon GO is in the middle of a significant PR push at present, rather like a second launch for the app that went viral around a year ago. Niantic's plans for an excitable live showcase in Chicago somewhat unravelled, however, though players around the world are nevertheless getting their...

Splatoon 2 is out and plenty are up-and-running in the various online modes. Nintendo, for its part, has promised a full year of additions in free updates, which should include gear, weapons and occasionally stages and other meatier content.
The launch weekend will be in on the action, it's been confirmed, with the familiar Inkbrush due to...

If you’re unfamiliar with the Fate/ franchise, you’ll certainly be forgiven; this long-running series from doujin developers Type-Moon started with a 2004 erotic visual novel (Fate/stay night), and has flown largely under the mainstream radar since, while steadily expanding into a massive media collection of RPGs,...

As with its prequel, Splatoon 2 contains a series of collectible scrolls - dubbed Sunken Sea Scrolls - to find that help expand on Hero Mode's narrative. There's quite a few hiding in Splatoon 2's depths, and we've tracked all of them down. Read on to find out where and how to get your tentacles on these elusive documents...

Today is Friday, July 21st. It's horrendously hot and humid in Japan. It's the height of summer and the start of the school holidays in many parts of Tokyo. It's also the day that Splatoon 2 is out. As if the shortage of Nintendo Switch consoles wasn't bad enough, Nintendo's newest...

When Nintendo confirmed that it'd be running lobbies and voice chat through a dedicated smartphone app there were plenty of critical remarks online. As a site we followed the line of a wait and see approach, but as crazy Hori workarounds and limited details emerged there was the whiff of a messy launch, and...

It’s quite an understatement to say that fans have been waiting for Kingdom Hearts III for a long time now, and it seems that there’s still a long way to go yet until the game is finally in everybody’s hands. Though it is currently slated for a release on PS4 and Xbox One, many Nintendo fans...

Nintendo has announced that the next Splatoon 2 Splatfest (for both Europe and North America, and not just Europe as was previously reported) will decide once and for all which is best: Mayo or Ketchup.
The Splatfest will take place during the first week of August.
Which one will you be picking? We're going to take a wild...

The New Nintendo 2DS XL was Japan's biggest selling piece of hardware for the last week in Japan, according to Famitsu.
The newest member of the 3DS family shifted 36,860 units in its first week on sale, and was accompanied by new releases Hey! Pikmin (79,517) and Ever Oasis (15,907).
Elsewhere,...

The Nintendo Switch Online app has positives, like Splatnet 2, but it's fair to say that the voice chat component has drawn a mixed-to-negative response. It does actually work, but it's a far from optimal scenario and has a number of quirks and drawbacks.
It's arguably an indictment of the functionality that...

It might be a struggle to explain to your grandparents exactly how big a deal YouTube is these days, but a few facts and figures usually help. Joseph "Stampy Cat" Garrett - one of the world's most popular Minecraft YouTubers - has over 8 million subscribers (not to mention...

Factor 5 is a studio with a long and proud history of technological achievement; it was founded in the super-competitive "demo scene" era of the Commodore Amiga and Atari ST, and went as far as to create its own development hardware for the SNES and Mega Drive / Genesis in order to gain traction in...

UK company FunStockRetro has announced a limited edition print run depicting the cast from Mega Man Legacy Collection 2; it's a title that's sadly skipping Nintendo hardware. The impressive art print has been designed by Iron Gut Publishing and is officially licensed by Capcom.
The paper is 300gsm textured (intended for a premium...

THQ Nordic has confirmed that Switch owners will have to wait a little longer than their PC, Xbox One and PS4-owning counterparts to get their hands on Sine Mora EX.
The remastered shooter arrives on those platforms on August 8th, but the Switch edition still has no solid release date - the publisher is simply...

Pure Wish has confirmed that its visual novel title Song of Memories is getting a Switch port this year.
Interestingly, even though no news of a western localisation has been confirmed, it has been revealed that the Switch port will contain Japanese, English, and French language support -...

If you sit ten Nintendo fans down in a room and ask them to debate the merits of the blue / spiny shell, then you should grab a comfy chair, some popcorn, and enjoy the ride. Some argue it's an excellent item and a great leveller, others suggests it's an abomination, and plenty sit somewhere in...

Shantae is a series that owes a lot of its success to the Nintendo audience; it’s always felt like something of a second party game to a certain degree. And with the latest success of Shantae: Half-Genie Hero on the Wii U and Switch, that series has no doubt been gradually accruing a much larger fanbase. As something of a gift to...

RIVE has proven to be an interesting project - it's a truly challenging and smart twin-stick shooter that is a swansong for Two Tribes. The studio brought us some excellent titles over a number of years, but decided that it would make one final game before moving on to new things...

Hamster has confirmed that its next Neo Geo title on Switch will be Super Sidekicks.
The 1992 classic started a series of soccer titles on the format and is famous for its quick and compelling gameplay, punctuated with high-quality 2D artwork which pops up at key moments during each...

Coinciding with the worldwide release of Splatoon 2, Bandai has released a set of inkling inflatables known as "Air Mascots" through toy capsules. The collectible squids come in six variations being blue, green, olive, pink, purple and yellow. There is also the opportunity to find Judd the cat as a special bonus.
The capsules...

As soon as the Switch arrived in stores we saw the inevitable start of homebrew and hacking efforts as coding enthusiasts see what can be done with the hardware. It often takes a while for discernible progress to be made, but there have been some early landmarks for that community,...

Over the past couple of months Nintendo's share value has steadily climbed, hitting its highest point in a number of years. This has been largely credited to the successful launch - and ongoing demand - around the Nintendo Switch, while other factors include the company's mobile plans and commercial deals (such as the...

It's that time again, dear readers, for the North American Nintendo Download Update. This week brings some interesting options on the Switch, in particular, with two diverse retail options and some download-only offerings. Let's get to it, shall we?
Nintendo Switch Retail Download:...

Nintendo has recently filed a trademark application for the Nintendo 64 controller in Europe, which given the timing might well indicate that a Nintendo 64 Classic Mini could be in the works for next year.
Such trademark applications have also been filed for the NES controller and the SNES controller,...

Splatoon 2 is about to hit stores, but it's arrived on the eShop in Japan and some have received their pre-orders early all around the globe. While trying to figure out the Nintendo Switch Online app and generally messing about, your humble scribe clocked the first in-game Miiverse-style posts, following on...

The European Nintendo Download is now live, and this week brings quite a few varied options. We have three retail choices on the Switch, along with two download-only options; there are budget options on the New 3DS and Wii U too. Along with the usual discounts there are...

We're still not sure why there's no equivalent to the Activity Log on the Nintendo Switch, but as quite a few realised early on you can use the Parental Controls App on a smart device to do the same thing. While it's also useful for parents to manage and moderate the gaming of their little 'uns, some of...

A while ago we posted a video on how to make a super-portable Joy-Con grip from a cheap Chinese product that costs only a few of your hard-earned dollars. However we weren't content with just that so we decided to take it all a step further.
Inspired by various ideas from all over the internet we've cracked open the very same...

While we're keen to play Shakedown Hawaii, the next game from Vblank Entertainment, the studio has confirmed that Nintendo Switch owners will be able to pass the time with its spiritual predecessor. Retro City Rampage DX is heading to the Switch eShop, and is aiming for release within the next few weeks...

This coming weekend brings us San Diego Comic-Con, with Nintendo gearing up to showcase a variety of games. Our man Alan Lopez went along to a pre-conference event and took the chance to take a good look at Nintendo's goodies, including the upcoming Super NES Classic Edition (NA)...

Inti Creates has adopted a model to reward early adopters with free content, something we've seen with Blaster Master Zero. Now Switch and 3DS eShop title Mighty Gunvolt Burst will add content that, for a period, won't cost a cent.
An update to version 1.1 will introduce DLC with Ekoro as a playable character;...

SEGA continues to amp up the anticipation for Sonic Forces, introducing new stages, characters and music tracks on a weekly basis. This time around the focus is on Infinite, a new deadly foe for Sonic to face.
He has a suitable 'bad-guy' voice, with the cutscene below showing an early encounter in the game.
SEGA has also...

Developers Rebellion have revealed more information on third-person shooter Rogue Trooper Redux, including when the game is expected for release. Based off a comic-book series by the same name and originally released back in 2006, RTR is now being remastered for a whole new generation.
The game...

With perhaps a few exceptions that have been so-so, movies based on video game properties have almost consistently been terrible adaptations. Perhaps this is due to how an interactive medium doesn’t translate to smoothly to one which is strictly visual, but even more plot-driven franchises like Assassin’s Creed have...

Nicalis is on a bit of roll at the moment, with several games headed to the Switch in retail packaging; one of these is Tiny Barbarian DX, which is now scheduled for release in the fourth quarter of 2017 with an MSRP of $29.99. A European release could happen further down the line via Headup Games, as...

The Switch eShop can add another intriguing release to its 2017 line-up, with confirmation that Figment is coming to the store. Developed by Bedtime Digital Games, its twist is that it's an action-adventure title (with a mix of puzzle-solving and combat) that is also a musical.
Below you can see the...

It's what plenty of fans have been waiting for. Niantic and The Pokémon Company have revealed that after much speculation legendary Pokémon will be arriving in Pokémon GO this weekend.
The trailer below shows off the recently-implemented Gym features, included Gym badges and Raids, before...

Kid Tripp is a game we've been highlighting over the past couple of months, a colourful retro-styled auto-runner that is heading to the 3DS and Switch. Developer Four Horses has now confirmed that the 3DS version is all set for release on 27th July in North America, Europe and Australia priced...

Nintendo’s made plenty of interesting decisions with its online service for this generation which have naturally divided opinion and one such decision was creating a mobile app to handle the majority of online friend and party functions, such as voice chat. Like it or hate it, this is what the company’s going to be rolling...

Nintendo's fancy Switch Online App is now available, and Splatoon 2 is the first game you'll be able to use it with.
The Japanese veteran has taken a rather unusual approach with this app; instead of including match-making features and voice-chat in-game, those elements are channelled through your smart device.
Given how...

Remember Hyper Light Drifter? The somber neon action game took a lot of its cues from The Legend of Zelda and was a standout indie release of last year, with a Wii U version planned at one point. Unfortunately, the developer ran into significant development barriers—the game would have to be entirely rebuilt in a brand new...

We were really looking forward to the gorgeous-looking 90's Arcade Racer landing on the Wii U eShop yonks ago, but it was not to be. Last year we reported that the game would no longer be coming to the Wii U and had been renamed as '90s Super GP.
Thankfully we now have confirmation that Nicalis will...

It has been revealed that Morphite will launch on the Switch eShop on September 7th, at the same time as all other previously confirmed versions of the game.
Described as an "atmospheric exploration sci-fi shooter with platforming elements", Moprhite is a collaboration...

Ubisoft may have had a slow start on Switch when compared to how enthusiastically it supported the Wii, 3DS and Wii U in the early days of those consoles, but with Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle on the horizon, the company is clearly taking the system very seriously indeed.
The French publisher announced during its recent...

The Nintendo Switch Online app is now available for download and will prove invaluable to anyone who wants to communicate with other players in games such as Splatoon 2, which hits stores in a couple of days.
But we hear you cry, where will you put your smartphone so you can reach it easily during...

It's fair to say that Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle didn't have the most auspicious of starts. When the game leaked it was met with a fair degree of scepticism, but that all changed when the title was unveiled onstage at E3, complete with an appearance by Shigeru Miyamoto himself...

Alongside the NES Mini, Prima released a lovely book featuring some of the games included on the mini-console to coincide with this. It really reminded us of the old Nintendo Power days and was a nice accompaniment to the NES Mini (that is if you were able to buy one!).
To go with the SNES Mini, you'll be able...

R.B.I. Baseball 17 is coming to the Nintendo Switch, it has been confirmed.
The game has a launch date of September 5th, and showcases officially-licenced teams, a full season mode, local multiplayer and a roster edit mode. It will retail for $29.99.
Here's the press release:
R.B.I. Baseball 17, developed by MLBAM and...

Niantic Labs has begun rolling out the latest update for Pokémon GO users worldwide.
This latest update features an array of minor additions and small improvements to the core of the game, but most importantly improves upon the recent addition of Poké Gyms. One annoying problem among...

It's worth loading up the Switch eShop once in a while just to see what's new in the coming soon section. Today we spotted Beach Buggy Racing is lined up for release on the 27th of July for the princely sum of £9.99. The North American release is likely to be at the same time.
Developed by Vector Unit, Beach Buggy Racing looks like a...

Arc System Works have just announced that beat'em up puzzle game Boost Beast will be released onto the Switch eShop come 20th July - that's tomorrow.
When a virus-carrying meteorite infects all humans and transforms them into mindless zombies, of course to save the day we need...Alec the "King of Dogs". Connecting the...

Going into Splatoon 2 after the excellent first entry in the series, expectations were high; arguably too high to be properly realised. The original showed an incredible level of ingenuity, clever design, and almost boundless creativity, so could the sequel match up or suffer from a case of the Final Fantasy IIs?
First off,...

It’s been months since we last saw an update for the Wii U, but that’s not necessarily surprising given that Nintendo jumped ship with the thing just about as fast as they plausibly could’ve. Indeed, the Wii U died a quick death as Nintendo moved on to greener pastures with the Switch, but it seems that perhaps the...

The recent Wii U system update apparently brings with it more than just increased stability - dataminers have discovered a message which hints that Miiverse is coming to an end.
Deep within Wii U system update 5.5.2, the following text has been unearthed:
The Miiverse service has ended. Miiverse and any...

Nintendo's quirky social network Miiverse was launched way back in 2012 alongside the Wii U, and was later rolled out to the 3DS. While many gamers used it to request or share tips on their favourite games, there have been many amusing moments over the years, and some heartbreaking ones too - such as this doomed Miiverse...

After 25 years, the Kirby universe has enough material to fill a Hyrule Historia-like compendium (hint, hint). Many games along the way have added little quirks and abilities to shake things up, but Kirby’s Blowout Blast takes a decidedly throwback approach by channelling the veteran hero’s first game.
Blowout Blast strips...

When the Nintendo Switch launched there was understandable relief at its positive reception, with plenty of hype ensuring that demand outstripped supply. Though Nintendo has frequently made noises about ramping up production it's taking some time, and there still aren't enough systems to go around.
A case in point...

"I was on my knees and I looked up to see Miyamoto staring down at me"

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is a rather odd pairing, but the team behind the game are pureblood Nintendo fans, and what we've seen of the game so far gives us much reason to be optimistic.
For Ubisoft Milan creative director and a lifelong Nintendo fanboy Davide...

Mobile phone accessory maker Anker is already famous with Nintendo fans thanks to its excellent range of portable batteries, but the company is now staking its claim for further glory with a line of officially licensed Pokémon gear for your blower.
Included in the range are iPhone 7 cases, portable batteries...

Despite making its debut on Nintendo’s underperforming Wii U, Splatoon has become a successful new Nintendo property by all counts, especially in Japan. For quite a while now, there’s been a long running Splatoon manga in Japan’s CoroCoro magazine, which has proven itself to be decently popular in the region. And now with...

If you like everything in your life to have a Nintendo theme, then you'll be pleased to learn that American luggage company LeSportsac has teamed up with the Japanese video game veteran to release a trendy new line of themed travel accessories in Japan.
The line is split into three main categories. 'Super...

Maximum Games is bringing vehicular destruction to the Switch later this year in the form of Monster Jam: Crush It!
Based on the PS4 and Xbox One title from 2016, this chaotic racer features more than 30 maps covering forest, desert, winter and farm environments. You'll also find 84 skill challenges and 12...

Some people have all the fun. An amazing piece of fan-art has been created by YouTuber "TheDominoKing" dedicated to everyone's favourite electric mouse.
The setup sees 22,177 dominoes lined up perfectly before being knocked over appropriately with a Pickachu plushie. What happens next is satisfying chaos as the...

This year's Evo extravaganza brought a range of reveals along with the high-end competitive play, and included some details related to the first ever Evo Japan.
It'll take place in Tokyo from 26th to 28th January and will feature two prominent Nintendo titles in its line-up.
Tekken...

People "raging quitting" during online games is a common problem these days, and developers are being forced to come up with ways of punishing such sore losers to ensure it doesn't impact the enjoyment of others.
Splatoon 2 is no exception; if you decide to leave a match by putting your Switch into sleep mode or turning it off...

Back at the start of Spring we started our usual 'Biggest Games' series, but didn't get around to doing a 3DS equivalent. To be honest, there wasn't much confirmed for the portable, regardless. We had a small collection of solid games, certainly, but they were slim pickings. From Spring onwards, however, a handful of...

As a portable hybrid platform, the Switch has interestingly been home to a host of ports of mobile device games, with more to come in the future. Games such as VOEZ, Oceanhorn, and now Implosion show that more and more developers are interested in the platform, but there’s another side to it. The...

Atari's new Ataribox system may not have a Nintendo focus, but the company's history in the games arena warrants some mention here regardless - hence our coverage of the news that the veteran firm was re-entering the hardware arena earlier this year.
Atari has now released renders of its new...

"Many a true word is spoken in jest." That age-old saying is very true of Hyperkin's SmartBoy device; originally pitched as an April Fool's prank it gradually evolved into something more tangible thanks to online reaction which keenly illustrated a demand in the marketplace for something that allowed you to play old...

For some dedicated fans of Super Smash Bros., a big favourite isn't an official entry in the series - for a time Project M, a mod of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, had a large and devoted following and was even part of the competitive scene. Talented fans worked for years on creating a blend of the Wii title and...

It feels like Kingdom Hearts III has been in development for centuries, but Square Enix has at long last confirmed that the long-awaited RPG will launch next year on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. It has also been hinted that Switch owners might get a version too, but only after the...

The European Switch eShop's 'coming soon' list strikes again, confirming that TinyBuid's hardcore neon slasher Phantom Trigger is lined up for release on 27th July for £13.49 in the UK. Based on the trailer above, the game appears to be similar to Hyper Light Drifter in some respects, which has proven to be a very...

"Our aim is to enable consumers to make daily efforts to improve their QOL"

Way back in 2015 it was suggested that Nintendo's Quality of Life initiative had been put on the back burner following the untimely passing of company president Satoru Iwata. Given that not much has been said about QOL, you'd be forgiven for assuming that Nintendo had...

Collectorvision has been making homebrew games since 2008, and now it seems one of its popular characters - Sydney Hunter - will be making the leap over to the Switch eShop.
Sydney Hunter and the Curse of the Mayan is an action adventure game featuring some puzzle elements. The 8-bit graphics and sounds are inspired by...

The Switch eShop library continues to grow, with developer Springloaded confirming that it's bringing its frantic 4 player party game - Ultra Hyperball - to the platform soon. This is just one of the six games that Springloaded is working on for the Switch right now, so it's a name you'll be hearing a lot more...

Funbox Media is releasing Vegas Party and Chicken Range on the Nintendo Switch.
The first game is - as you might expect - a gambling simulation with support for 4 players:
Played as a race, the goal is to reach the end of the Strip before anyone else. Manage your token account in 10 gambling minigames, avoid the dangers...

While we wait (im)patiently for the localisation of Dragon Quest XI, we can nevertheless take in the hype for its release in Japan. While the Switch version is still oddly missing, the Japanese market is currently gearing up for the dual release across PS4 and 3DS.
Square Enix has now published a series...

Tetris is one of the world's most famous video games, and has been the subject of hit singles, documentaries and - of course - more sequels and spin-offs than you can shake a stick at.
One of the more recent applications of Tetris is this new commercial from UK supermarket chain Sainsbury's, which shows a table being laid for a...